110 likes | 233 Views
The Succession of Robert E. Lee:. The American Civil War Mr. Contipodero. The Battle of Seven Pines. 42,000 men engaged on each side 5,000 Union / 6,000 C onfederate casualties Battle had no strategic consequences Commanders were impacted McClellan’s affection for soldiers made him weak
E N D
The Succession of Robert E. Lee: The American Civil War Mr. Contipodero
The Battle of Seven Pines • 42,000 men engaged on each side • 5,000 Union / 6,000 Confederate casualties • Battle had no strategic consequences • Commanders were impacted • McClellan’s affection for soldiers made him weak • Johnston wounded on 1st day • General Robert E. Lee took over
Seven Days Battles • McClellan moved most of army south of Chickahominy River • Left Fitz-John Porter’s corps of 30,000 in north • Lee attacked the corps • Jackson’s troops from the valley joined with Lee • What was McClellan doing? • Waiting for better weather • Asking Lincoln for more troops
Struggles for Both Sides • McClellan had 120,000 men by late June, 1862 • His intel predicted over 200,000 Confederates • They were only 90,000 strong • Jackson didn’t get to Mechanicsville on June 26th for assault • Why?
Battles • June 26-27 • Lee launched attack on Porter’s 34,000 troops • Porter withdrew across the Chickahominy River on the 27th • What were the troops south of the river doing while the fighting occurred in the north?
Deception • John Magruder strikes again! • Maneuvered and acted as if attacking McClellan • McClellan thought wrong • Thinking his was against superior numbers • Transferred his base across peninsula to James River
McClellan’s dispatch to Stanton • “I have lost this battle because my force was too small…The government must not and cannot hold me responsible for the result…I have seen too many dead and wounded comrades to feel otherwise than this Government has not sustained this army…If I save this army now, I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks to you or to any persons in Washington. You have done your best to sacrifice this army.”
Malvern Hill • Last battle of the Seven Days • Lee wanted to advance • Confederates were cut to pieces by Union cannon firing • Northern artillery superiority • Counted for more at Malvern Hill than in any other battle of the ACW • “was not war—it was murder” • Confederate General Daniel H. Hill
The Result • Lee’s first month in command was excellent • Disappointed that McClellan escaped without damage • Very upset with commanding generals • Changed and transferred officers • Union Army only lost 1 battle • Gaines’ Mill • 16,500 casualties • Confederates suffered 20,000 casualties
Discussion Questions • If you were President Abraham Lincoln, would you applaud or criticize the Union military tactics used during the Seven Days Battles? • Are you please or disgruntled about the outcomes?
Second Battle of Bull Run • General Hallack became general in chief of all armies • McClellan was furious and many soldiers lost morale • http://www.history.com/topics/george-b-mcclellan/interactives/civil-war-150#/wiki?topic=319